Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 707: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current weekly average number of applications for work permits; if the number is increasing or decreasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26008/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The work permits section of my Department received an average of 578 applications per week over the 12 month period up to 27 September 2005. This compares with an average of 713 applications received per week in the preceding 12 months. Approximately 75% of all applications are now for the renewal of earlier permits. The number of new, first time permits issued is expected to decrease by over 60% in 2005 compared with 2002.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 708: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permit applications processed by his office in the past 12 months; the number which were new and repeats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26009/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 710: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of applications for work permits received in his Department in the past 12 months; the number approved; the number rejected; the number still pending and the length of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26011/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 710 together.

The work permits section of my Department received 32,518 work permit applications in the 12 months up to 31 August 2005 and processed 31,246 applications in that period. Of the applications received, 29,417 were approved, 1,829 were rejected and there were 632 applications pending. Applications for work permits are currently taking 15 working days to process. Of the permits processed 7,502 were new applications and 21,153 were renewals.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 709: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of work permits granted to first time applicants in the past 12 months; the way in which this figure corresponds with each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26010/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Set out in the table are permits issued to employers in respect of new employees over the past three years and in 2005 to date.

It should be noted that some of the employees included above may already be in the State but changing to a new employer.